On the day he was not traded -- despite much speculation to the contrary -- Josh Beckett took the mound to face the Tigers Tuesday night at Fenway Park, pitted against the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and MVP, Justin Verlander.

At 5-9 with a 4.57 ERA in 17 starts, Beckett's outings for most of this season have been unbecoming a starter who once wore the mantle "ace." The Red Sox are just 6-11 in his outings. In his last eight starts, Beckett is just 1-5 with a 5.02 ERA, while the Sox are 1-7 in those games.